Personal ADHD story inspires students

THE successful director of a pioneering mechanical and electrical contracting company provided huge encouragement to RGS students who may be struggling with ADHD.

One of a number of inspirational speakers during the school’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Steve Wearne of Enlight10 delivered an enlightening talk to Years 9, 11 and 12 students about his personal journey with the condition.

After years working in the traditional construction industry, he says: “I’ve found my place in the modular industry, where new ideas and systems are encouraged – perfect for my ADHD.

“We thrive on out-of-the-box thinking and embrace every challenge,” he adds.

RGS special educational needs and disability coordinator and inclusion manager Samina O’Brien said it was refreshing to hear a different voice: “Steve spoke eloquently about the diverse paths to success, irrespective of any diagnosis.”

Martin Bloomfield, a dyslexia awareness consultant, ran a particularly engaging workshop for students of all ages designed to enhance their understanding of dyslexia and its associated traits while providing useful coping strategies.

Dr Bloomfield, who holds a PhD in ethics and diversity from the University of York and has recently co-written an academic paper demonstrating the measurable anti-dyslexia biases inherent within generative AI, also ran a session with RGS staff in January.

He has advised governments, delivered keynote presentations around the world, and been at the forefront of special educational needs thought leadership since the turn of the millennium.

“One of the biggest misconceptions about dyslexia is that it’s a reading difficulty – and that words dance about on the page. While this is a real issue called Irlen syndrome, not everyone with dyslexia has it – far from it,” he says.

One student remarked that Dr Bloomfield’s strategies helped them feel less isolated.

Another noted that tools such as apps for organising their time and activities assisted them considerably, and several recently-diagnosed students expressed a greater sense of security regarding their diagnosis.

Andrea Chapman from the Daisy Chain charity, which supports autistic and neurodivergent children, young people, adults and their families, ran a workshop for parents on understanding autistic overwhelm, meltdown and shutdown.

Ms O’Brien said it had been a very worthwhile week: “The SEND Team and I would like to extend our gratitude to all our speakers and teachers.”